Fall 2023 (Volume 33, Number 3)
Rising Star:
Dr. Alan Zhou
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Dr. Alan Zhou is a PGY5
Adult Rheumatology trainee
and current Chief
Rheumatology Resident at the
University of Toronto. As a medical
student, Dr. Zhou was eager
to become a member of the CRA
before becoming a rheumatology
trainee. At the time, the CRA
offered trainee memberships to
medical doctors enrolled in a graduate
or postgraduate program in
rheumatology but did not have a
category for students prior to becoming
trainees.
Thanks to Dr. Zhou’s interest,
the CRA created the Associate
Membership, a new category to
give medical students the opportunity
to join the CRA. The
Associate category is available
to students who have graduated
from university and are enrolled
in a recognized medical school
in Canada, or internal medicine
residents enrolled in an internal
medicine residency training program
accredited by The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons
of Canada or le Collège des Médecins du Québec.
Dr. Zhou is an active member of the CRA, volunteering
on the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Task Force.
We’re happy to share more fun and interesting facts about
Dr. Zhou below!
What made you want to become involved with the
CRA as early as you did?
I first became involved with the CRA as a summer student
after the rheumatology lectures in medical school piqued
my interest in the specialty. Later, as an Internal Medicine
resident, I sought out additional opportunities to become
involved with the CRA as I wanted to connect with the broader
rheumatology community, but unfortunately, there were
limited opportunities at the time for non-rheumatology
trainees. I’m happy to hear that there is now a new Associate
Member category through which interested medical students
and Internal Medicine residents can become engaged
with the CRA!
If you could think of one
rheumatologist or professor
that influenced you to get
into your field of work,
whom would it be?
Dr. Lori Albert taught the rheumatology
block in my second
year of medical school, and it
was through her lectures that
I first developed an interest in
rheumatology. Her passion for
the specialty was infectious and
made a lasting impression on me
— I still very clearly remember
her use of the grape analogy for
swollen joints. Fast forward six
years, and she is now my longitudinal
clinic preceptor! She is
a master clinician, and I am so
grateful for the opportunity to
learn from her.
What is your favourite
activity outside of work?
I used to run recreationally but
stopped in clerkship when life
got busy. I got back into running
when I started my rheumatology residency and joined a running
club where I met a lot of fellow runners. I now go on
weekly runs with a buddy of mine to catch up and vent about
life. One lesson I’ve learned over the last year — a good pair
of sneakers is key!
What’s the last great TV show or movie you
watched?
"La Chica de Nieve" (Snow Girl) — it’s a mystery thriller on
Netflix based on a bestselling novel in Spain. I picked up Spanish
classes this year and my teacher recommended watching
the show as a way to practice the language. I quickly became
hooked after the first episode!
Alan Zhou, MD
Rheumatology Resident,
University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
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